Today, as the pantry prepared for more families needing goods—the crowd was enormous—Sarah introduced me to the Cambridge Food Pantry’s newest and youngest volunteer: Ava, a 10th grader at Cambridge Central School.

She was excited to be there. “It’s a beautiful cause,” she said.

One of the most inspiring aspects of my involvement with the pantry is witnessing the unwavering dedication of the pantry volunteers. Their contributions, given without expectation of reward, have been the backbone of the food pantry’s ability to cater to an ever-increasing number of people in our community.

Ava is going to have fun there.

It’s a holiday weekend, and Sarah is working. I see it as my weekend’s reflection and homework: two more items, one for $1.67 and one for $2.38. Go, Sarah.

(Memorial Day Weekend Requests: Kraft Original Slow-Simmered BBQ (Bottle), $1.67.

And Wish-Bone Italian Dressing, 15 FL. Oz. by Wish-Bone Grocery, $2.38.)

(You can buy other items on the Pantry Wish List by going here.)

Sarah and I sat down and discussed the incredible support the pantry receives from the Army of Good.

She is notified whenever anyone buys anything on the list. She is astonished at the response and very grateful.

The people in the Army Of Food have been responding with such speed and generosity that she has started a new way of notifying people when she gets what she needs: she takes it off the list, a clear sign of the rapid and reliable support the pantry enjoys and that she has what she needs for the moment.

No long-term planning is possible at the pantry; it’s day-to-day and week-to-week.

The other morning, the requests for juice came in so rapidly that she had what she needed in less than an hour.

As most of you know, the idea is not to accumulate thousands of items but to have enough for subsequent and nearby distribution. That number fluctuates constantly. The pantry will always utilize whatever you send, but it requires many things.

Sarah is committed to keeping the wheel turning swiftly and inexpensively so that you, our generous donors, don’t burn out and find it too costly. This is good, easy to do, and very meaningful.

This week, we average $2 and $3 items almost daily. Sarah sets up the Wish Lists so we buy one thing at a time. You can browse the Pantry Wish List for other affordable items.

Her idea of using the Wish List this way is brilliant and working; I launched the idea with the Mansion, and she has taken it further, constantly updating it daily.

Today, as we enter the holiday weekend, I wish to thank you again, share the two things the pantry needs (the weekend choices), and show you about half of the items you have been sending. You are loved, needed, and appreciated.

This is a partial list of your actions. Please note that all of these items were food the pantry could not obtain or keep stocked and that the customers themselves asked for them.

You  Bought Tuna

You bought 100 boxes of cereal.

You bought rice and made Ben’s Jasmine Rice one of the most popular items on the pantry shelves.

You bought four different kinds of juice.

You brought boxes of Ranch Dressing, and they will be gone in a day or so.

 

You bought nutritious soup and spaghetti.

As I’ve mentioned, this item only lasts briefly; most are already gone. They have transformed the pantry’s reach and enabled these families to get the food they want and need. You have boosted the morale of the families and the children.

There was more, but this is enough for now. I wanted you to see what you are doing and how much of a transformation it has wrought.

You have also struck an exciting groove—inexpensive foods are sent quickly and continuously. You have joined the pantry family and given the Army Of Good more glory. I have no words, but thanks; I’m fortunate to have witnessed this love and compassion, and I won’t forget it.

And please accept the love, thanks, and deep gratitude of the pantry, its customers, and its children. These pictures tell a story; you have touched their lives. There is no time for applause; Sarah needs BBQ Sauce and Italian Dressing—blessings to you.